A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Norm Pruitt was born June 1, 1920 in Crane, Oregon to Albert and Lizzie Pruitt. By the time he graduated from Burns High School in 1939, he had already tried his hand at more occupations than most people have in a lifetime (hired hand, cook, bellman, bootlegger, etc, etc.). Days after marrying his high school sweetheart, Norma Marshall, Norm left for service in WW II. He enlisted with the Army Combat Engineers in 1943 and served 3 years participating in some intense campaigns in Europe (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe).
After the war, Norm moved to the Portland area, settling in Lake Oswego where he and Norma raised three children. Norm was the owner of a successful painting and wallpaper company where he was recognized for his 45-plus years of expert service and quality. He opened The Wallpaper Place in Beaverton and ran that business until his retirement in 1992. His hobby was remodeling and he renovated over 15 homes in the Lake Oswego area. In the 1960s, Norm was the Scoutmaster of Troop 127 in Lake Oswego and started the Christmas tree lot at George Rogers Park that continues to operate every year. During his tenure, the troop grew from twelve scouts to over two hundred and Norm received several awards for his service. Norm's first wife Norma died in 1988. He married Elizabeth Reidel in 1992.
Norm was an inspiration to everyone. His wit was quick and his attitude always positive. He was a friend, teacher, teller of stories, role model, counselor, and mentor. He was best defined though by his dedication to family. There was no higher priority in Norm's life, and he set the example for all of us who were fortunate enough to be part of his.
Survivors include his wife Elizabeth (Betty), sons Richard and Steven Pruitt, daughter Nancy Lomax, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Thelma Barnum.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation to: Saint Vincent?s Medical Foundation, 9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225. Arrangements by Holman Funeral Services.
Death: Date: 4 JAN 2008 Place: Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Oregon Note: Obituary from the Portland (Oregon) Oregonian, Tuesday, January 8, 2008: Norman A. "Norm" Pruitt died on January 5, 2008 at age 87. Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday January 12, 2008 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the home of his daughter Nancy Lomax, in Lake Oswego.
Although it might be tempting to assume that the middle initial "A" in the name Norman A. Pruitt stands for his father's given name of "Albert", Norm himself several times denied that link, stating that the "A" was just an initial and didn't represent any name.
Norm joined the Army in 1943, enlisting in the 300th Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp White, Oregon, near Medford. The mission of a combat engineer battalion was supporting infantry and armored divisions by clearing minefields and obstacles, building bridges and roads, laying minefields, building water purification stations, blowing bridges and roads and creating obstacles. They also were medics, cooks, communication specialists, map makers, reconnaissance experts, drivers, mechanics and clerks. In general, they supported the advances of US forces while impeding enemy advances. Combat engineer battalions tended to have high esprit de corps; they rightly considered themselves to be elite specialists. In a pinch, combat engineers also could act as infantry and did so frequently. In the Battle of the Bulge, a handful of engineer battalions proved to be a vital asset to the beleaguered American Army. The 300th Combat Engineer Battalion was activated on March 1, 1943 at Camp White and served until their return home from Europe on November 2, 1945.
Norman Pruitt, like thousands of his fellow Americans, married just before going overseas to fight in World War II. Also like thousands of his fellow Americans, he sent the majority of his Army pay home to his new wife, Norma, to support her and secure their future together. Their marriage lasted happily for almost 50 years, only interrupted by Norma's death in 1988.
Shortly after the death of his brother-in-law, Lee Barnum, Norm entered into business with his widowed sister, Thelma. They opened Northel Upholstery and Decorating in Lake Oswego, with Thelma handling the upholstery business and Norm the interior decorating. Several years later, when Thelma left the upholstery business to enter the real estate profession, Norm continued in the interior decorating business. He was an excellent painter and paper hanger and continued in that business until his retirement, although in later years he concentrated almost entirely on paper hanging.
Norm was a happy, friendly and outgoing person, well-liked by everyone. He delighted in jokes and was known for his wit. As an example, he recalled an occasion when he had made an appointment with a client but forgot completely about it. Upon seeing the client the following day, instead of apologizing he pretended to be angry. He began berating the poor fellow, saying, "Where were you? I waited and waited but you never showed up!" It turned out that the client had also forgotten the appointment and he began to apologize profusely. Norm let him suffer for a minute but finally let him in on the joke. He always laughed heartily when recounting this occurrence.
In addition to his decorating business, Norm bought and renovated houses. He would search out a house in poor condition, at a good price. Buying it, he would live there for a few years, cleaning, repairing, remodeling and redecorating it and then selling it at a profit. As a result, he and his family had many homes, moving every few years from one to another as he bought, renovated and sold a series of houses.
Obituary from the Portland (Oregon) Oregonian, Tuesday, January 8, 2008: Norman A. “Norm” Pruitt died on January 5, 2008 at age 87. Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday January 12, 2008 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the home of his daughter Nancy Lomax, in Lake Oswego.
Norm Pruitt was born June 1, 1920 in Crane, Oregon to Albert and Lizzie Pruitt. By the time he graduated from Burns High School in 1939, he had already tried his hand at more occupations than most people have in a lifetime (hired hand, cook, bellman, “bootlegger”, etc, etc.). Days after marrying his high school sweetheart, Norma Marshall, Norm left for service in WW II. He enlisted with the Army Combat Engineers in 1943 and served 3 years participating in some intense campaigns in Europe (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe).
After the war, Norm moved to the Portland area, settling in Lake Oswego where he and Norma raised three children. Norm was the owner of a successful painting and wallpaper company where he was recognized for his 45-plus years of expert service and quality. He opened The Wallpaper Place in Beaverton and ran that business until his retirement in 1992. His hobby was remodeling and he renovated over 15 homes in the Lake Oswego area. In the 1960s, Norm was the Scoutmaster of Troop 127 in Lake Oswego and started the Christmas tree lot at George Rogers Park that continues to operate every year. During his tenure, the troop grew from twelve scouts to over two hundred and Norm received several awards for his service. Norm’s first wife Norma died in 1988. He married Elizabeth Reidel in 1992.
Norm was an inspiration to everyone. His wit was quick and his attitude always positive. He was a friend, teacher, teller of stories, role model, counselor, and mentor. He was best defined though by his dedication to family. There was no higher priority in Norm's life, and he set the example for all of us who were fortunate enough to be part of his.
Survivors include his wife Elizabeth (Betty), sons Richard and Steven Pruitt, daughter Nancy Lomax, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Thelma Barnum.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation to: Saint Vincent’s Medical Foundation, 9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225. Arrangements by Holman Funeral Services.
Social Security Death Index. Name: Norman A. Pruitt; Last Residence: 97034 Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Oregon, United States of America; Born: 1 Jun 1920; Died: 5 Jan 2008; State (Year) SSN issued: Oregon (Before 1951)
Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008. Name: Norman A Pruitt; Age: 88; Birth Date: 1920; Death Date: 5 Jan 2008; Death Place: Washington
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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